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Effect of Pioglitazone Compared to a Combination Therapy With Ramipril and to a Ramipril Monotherapy on Low Grade Inflammation and Vascular Function in Patients With Increased Cardiovascular Risk and an Activated Inflammation. A Randomized Double-blinded Phase II Study.

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of pioglitazone, once daily (QD), on low grade inflammation and vascular function in hypertensive patients.

Detailed Description

Patients with insulin resistance and an activated inflammation are prone for cardiovascular complications like myocardial infarction or stroke. Pharmacological interventions reducing vascular inflammation are thought to reduce cardiovascular risk in diabetic and in non-diabetic patients.

Intervention with ACE inhibitors like ramipril is an established and widely used treatment for patients with high blood pressure, proven to reduce cardiovascular risk. Treatment of non-diabetic patients with pioglitazone has shown to improve the cardiovascular risk profile in non-diabetic patients beyond its effect on blood glucose levels.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate effects on low grade inflammation and vascular function of pioglitazone in non-diabetic, hypertensive patients with pre treatment with angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (that will be replaced by the study medication at time of randomization).

Use of acetyl salicylic acid and/or Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs or Cox-2-inhibitors within the last 4 weeks prior to screening visit, use of Rifampicin within the last 12 weeks prior to screening visit.

Uncontrolled hypertension (repeated blood pressure greater than 180/100 mmHg for at least three times within two weeks); persistent hypotension (systolic less than 90 mmHg) or hemodynamic instability.

Anamnestic history of hypersensitivity to the study drugs or to drugs with similar chemical structures.

History of severe or multiple allergies.

Treatment with any other investigational drug within 3 months before trial entry.